RECOMMENDATIONS LISTED IN TWO DISTRICT CONTESTS FOR STATE SENATE

In contests for the state Senate, Broward County Democrats will select their nominee in one district while Republicans will choose a nominee in another.

The Editorial Board recommends the following candidates:

DISTRICT 30, DEMOCRAT: TOM MCPHERSON

Incumbent Tom McPherson is easily the strongest Democratic candidate for the District 30 Florida Senate seat.

McPherson, 51, a businessman/farmer who lives near Cooper City, is completing a four-year term in the Senate. He previously served 12 years in the state House and two years as mayor of Cooper City.

McPherson knows how to work the legislative process, often behind the scenes, and has an astonishing record of accomplishment. During this spring's session, 19 bills he sponsored were passed into law, including measures to legalize Sunday horse racing and set boat noise regulations and speed limits.

A strong environmentalist, he expects to be named chairman of the Natural Resources Committee if re-elected. McPherson was the leader in the fight to amend the Marketable Record Title Act to prevent a legal giveaway of state submerged lands. He also suggested a law to use the state's $100 million Conservation and Recreation Lands fund to float bonds to buy and preserve environmentally sensitive lands.

He is known as a tenacious fighter and aggressive advocate for whatever causes he takes on, and as a problem-solver committed to using public power for better government.

DISTRICT 26, REPUBLICAN: BERNARD KIMMEL

Bernard Kimmel is the best nominee Republicans can put forward to take the Senate District 26 seat being vacated by gubernatorial candidate Harry Johnston.

Kimmel, 59, a West Palm Beach physician, has served two terms in the Florida House and served eight years on the Palm Beach County School Board. That experience has given Kimmel a keen insight into public school funding and administration -- topics that will take much of the limelight of upcoming legislative sessions.

He favors changing the state's school funding formula to help fast growing, property-rich counties such as Palm Beach. He also favors using all funds that might be raised by a state lottery to improve teacher salaries.

He is opposed by Dirk Smith, 36, vice president of a graphics business who is a resident of suburban Boca Raton. The winner will face state Rep. Eleanor Weinstock, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary.